Tauseef Mustafa—AFP
Statement from Indian home minister comes after weeks of clashes between security forces, protesters.
New Delhi’s home minister called for “maximum restraint” in India-administered Kashmir on Sunday after weeks of clashes between protesters and security forces that left scores dead.
At least 49 people have been killed in clashes in India-administered Kashmir following the death of popular young rebel commander Burhan Wani in a gunfight with security forces on July 8.
Speaking at the end of a two-day visit to the restive region, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said he was concerned about the violence and called on both sides to ease tensions. “I am worried about the situation here, so is our prime minister,” Singh told reporters after meeting with business, government and other groups during the visit. “I have asked the security forces to exercise maximum restraint.”
Singh also urged residents to refrain from violence in the disputed territory, which is divided between India and Pakistan but claimed in full by both.
More than 5,500 people including 2,259 civilians, have been injured in the latest clashes, including scores who were shot in the eyes with pellets by troopers and may have been blinded. One more protester injured during earlier fighting died in a hospital on Sunday, taking the death toll to 49.
Large parts of the region remained under a security lockdown for the 16th day as mobile phone and Internet networks remained suspended.
Singh accused Pakistan of inflaming violence in the Muslim-majority region after Islamabad announced a “black day” to show solidarity with Kashmir residents living under Indian rule. “Pakistan is itself a sufferer of terrorism and they should not instigate Kashmiri youth to pick up arms. This should stop,” Singh said.
The clashes are the deadliest in India-administered Kashmir since 2010 when massive demonstrations were staged against Indian rule.
Several rebel groups have been fighting for decades an estimated 500,000 Indian soldiers deployed in the region, demanding independence or a merger of the territory with rival Pakistan. Tens of thousands of people, mostly civilians, have died in the fighting.